title: Assessing organisational development in European primary care using a group-based method: a feasibility study of the Maturity Matrix.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Maturity Matrix is a tool designed in the U.K. to assess family practice organisational development and to stimulate quality improvement. It is practice-led, formative and undertaken by a practice team with the help of trained facilitators. The aim of this study is to assess the Maturity Matrix as a tool and an organisational development measure in European family practice settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a convenience sample of 153 practices and 11 facilitators based in the U.K., Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland and Slovenia, feasibility was assessed against six criteria: completion; coverage; distribution; scaling; translation; and missing data. Information sources were responses to evaluation questionnaires by facilitators and completed Maturity Matrix profiles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All practices taking part completed the Maturity Matrix sessions successfully. The Netherlands, the U.K. and Germany site staff suggested including additional dimensions: interface between primary and secondary care; access; and management of expendable materials. Maturity Matrix scores were normally distributed in each country. Scaling properties, translation and missing data suggested that the following dimensions are most robust across the participating countries: clinical performance audit; prescribing; meetings; and continuing professional development. Practice size did not make a significant difference to the Maturity Matrix profile scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study suggests that the Maturity Matrix is a feasible and valuable tool, helping practices to review organisational development as it relates to healthcare quality. Future research should focus on developing dimensions that are generic across European primary care settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK. edwardsag@cf.ac.uk
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Melody
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rhydderch
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Engels
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Vlasta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vodopivec-Jamsek
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grol
authors.forename: Glyn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Elwyn
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005060:Europe; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D058996:Quality Improvement; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014175:Translating; D006113:United Kingdom